Oral health habits and the number of teeth present in Japanese aged 50-80 years.
OBJECTIVE
To suggest appropriate oral health habits for daily practice in order to prevent tooth loss.


METHODS
Cross sectional study correlating mean number of teeth and oral health habits.


METHODS
All 97 dental clinics in an urban area (population 256,000) in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.


METHODS
1,248 persons aged 50-80 who received dental treatment at any of the dental clinics between 10 January and 7 February, 1992.


METHODS
The number of teeth present was recorded by the dentists in their clinics. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires on oral health habits, prior dental attendance patterns and the perceived general health status.


RESULTS
Mean number of teeth present had a significant relationship with perceived health status. Implementation of particular oral health habits, such as using a toothbrush with nylon tufts and hard tufts, changing the toothbrush within three months, receiving tooth brushing instruction, scaling, and prompt dental treatment were related positively to the number of teeth present. Furthermore, the frequency of dental visits in the past showed an inverse relationship with the mean number of teeth present. This result does not necessarily mean, however, that regular dental visits are undesirable. From multiple regression, the mean number of teeth was calculated to be from 27.9 to 16.9 at 50 years of age and from 12.2 to 3.0 at 80 years of age in relation to oral health habits.


CONCLUSIONS
To keep more teeth in the later years, it is evident that prevention of dental disease in earlier life is essential, and that individuals should receive prophylactic treatment, and maintain proper tooth brushing habits throughout life.
Fukuda
H
H
Department of Public Health, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Shinsho
F
F
Nakajima
K
K
Takahashi
S
S
Tatara
K
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003792:Dental Records; D012534:Dental Scaling; D003817:Dentition; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014504:Urban Health